[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 30572]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          PRISON CARD PROGRAM

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Madam President, I rise today to talk about an 
important and highly successful program operated for more than 25 years 
by the Salvation Army in conjunction with the Bureau of Prisons. This 
program is called the Prison Card Program. Under the program, greeting 
cards are donated to the Salvation Army that are then given to inmates 
at correctional facilities across the country. This program allows 
inmates to keep in touch with family and friends--not only during the 
holiday season--but throughout the year. The benefits of this program 
to the inmates and their loved ones are clear. However, there are also 
benefits to the community as well. Inmates who maintain strong ties 
with their families and friends are less likely to return to prison 
once their sentence is completed.
  I want to commend the Salvation Army, the Department of Justice, and 
the Bureau of Prisons for supporting this program. In particular, I 
want the Department to know that this program has the support of 
Congress. I have spoken to Chairman Gregg, who has indicated that he is 
prepared to work with me and other supporters of the program in the 
coming months to ensure that this important charitable program is 
sustained well into the future.

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